Electric railway.



No. 650,586. Patented May 29, I900.

J. B. LARKIN.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

(Application filed Dec. 28, 1899.)

3 Shgets-Sheat 3 (No Model.)

IN VE N TOR 16 ummnm m- WITNESSES l A TTOHNEYd,

UNITED STATES JOHN B. LARKIN, or PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.-

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 650,586, dated May 29, 1900. Application filed December 28, 1899. Serial No. 741,827. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN B. LARKIN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Railways, of which t-he'following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in railways, and is par ticularly adapted for use in connection with electric railways.

One object of my invention is to construct a conduit used in connection with electric railways and which is particularly adapted to protect the conductor carrying the motive power.

A further object of my invention is to construct a conduit to be used in connection with electric railways and provide the said conduit with a transversely-operating slot-closer so arranged and supported as to prevent serious jolts and jars incident to the arrangement of a slot-closer operated above the surface line of the street, owing to the fact that my improved slot-closer used in connection with the conduit is operated upon almost the same plane as the surface line of the street, as well as below the same. By this construction the objections heretofore existing regarding slot-closers interfering with the constant crossing and recrossing traffic and which operate above the surface line of the street are readily overcome.

A further object of my invention is to simplify the construction of conduit set forth in my copending application filed September 9, 1899, Serial No. 729,942, and November 3, 1899, Serial No. 735,684.

r A further object of my invention is to provide a conduit with means to permit of the arrangement therein of a suitable feed-wire for the conductor, dispensing thereby with overhead wire connections for this purpose or intermediate line-stations.

Afurther object of my invention is to construct a conduit for electric railways with ample space for the conductor, feed-wire, supports therefor, and greater width of slot to permit of the operation of the trolley, and which will also permit of the easy access opening 5.

thereto for adjustment or replacement of any of the parts used in connection therewith.

A further object of my invention lies in my improved operating means, suspended from the car, for operating the slot-closer to permit of the passage of the trolley through the conduit.

With the above and other objects in view my invention finally consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts, to be hereinafter more fully described, and spe-' cifically pointed out-in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding'parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a side View of a car, partly broken away, showing my improved means for operating the slot-closer in full and dotted lines, the trolley being suitably connected to the operating means for the slot-closer, as well as to the underneath face of the car. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof and of my improved conduit. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of my improved conduit, showing the slot-closer in an operative position. Fig. 4 is a top plan View thereof, one of the sections of the slot-closer broken away. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the sections forming one of the side walls and a portion of the top of myimproved conduit. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of sections used in the construction of the slot-closer, each of 7 these sections being broken away. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of one of the removable supporting and bracing stanchions used in the conduit. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the operating-arm for the slot-closer. Fig. 9 is an inverted plan view thereof.

Referring to the drawings by referencenumerals, 1 indicates a car; 2, the platform thereof, carrying on its underneath face a pulley-wheel 3, supported in the keepers 4. The platform 2 is further provided at the front of the pulley-wheel 3 with a vertical The dashboard 6 of the platform 2 has suitably secured to the inner face thereof a hook 7 to receive the end of the cord or cable 8 and support the same. This cord or cable engages the pulley-wheel 3 and extends upwardly through the opening 5, as shown, and it also passes over the pulley-wheel 9, secured to the underneath face of the bottom of the car by means of the keepers through the eye 11, connected to the side of the operating-arm 12.

11 indicates apair of apertured lugs formed integral with the arm 12, in which is mounted the pin 12.

The operating-arm 12 is constructed of any suitable material and tapers in a curvilinear manner toward its lower end, as at 13, and has formed integral with its lower end a triangular-shaped stop-blockl i, having a triangular-shaped working block 15, formed integral with the lower face thereof and which is of a smaller size. The operating-arm 12 is further provided with a pair of verticallyex'tending apertured lugs 16 to permit of pivotally connecting the arm 12 to the hanger 17, secured to the cross-piece 18, carried by the bottom of the car.

19 indicates a downwardly-extendin g spring connected to the hanger 17 and having its lower portion bearing against the front of the arm .12 and pin 12 for retaining the arm nor mally in an operative position.

,.Secured 'to the cross-piece 18 is a hanger 20, to which the upper end of the trolley 21 is pivotallyconnected. The trolley is also connected to the rope or cable 8, as at 24, and provided at its lower end with a harp 22, in which is journaled a trolley-wheel 23.

. 25 indicates a stop arranged on the cable 8 between the operating-arm and trolley to raise the arm when the trolley is elevated by means of the cable. This stop also prevents the trolley from contacting with the operatlug-arm. 26 indicates the rails of the track, and 27 the track-bed, within which is arranged my improved conduit supported upon the crossties'28, which also support the track-bed and rails;

My improved conduit consists of a pair of inverted-'L-shaped sections 29 30, forming the topandsides thereof, each having a transversely-extending flange 31 formed integral w-ith'the lower end of the outer face thereof,

and this flange receives suitable fastening means 32 for securing the sections in position to the cross-ties 28. Each of these sections 1 29 30 is so arranged in relation to the other that they form an elongated slot between the top inner edges of each of the sections when the same are set up.

33 indicatesa series of transversely-extending supporting-studs formed integral with the top inner edges of each section, which are arranged a suitable distance apart. Each series of these studs is arranged opposite the series of the other section.

cut-away portion 34 to receive the hinged end of the'slot-closer sectionsto be hereinafter described. The inner faces of the sides of each section of the conduithave suitably se- The top inner edges of- ..thesections are also provided with a concave cured thereto retaining-blocks 35;provided on one of their faces with a dovetailed wedge-shaped groove 36 to receive a wedgeshaped end 37 of the supporting and bracing stanchions 38 for securing the same in position. The blocks 35 are so arranged that when supporting the stanchions the lower edge of the same will be above the bottom of the conduit, as will be seen at 39. The stanchions 38 are each provided with a pair of circular openings 40, through which pass feed-wires, (not shown,) and one of these openings is arranged at each side of the cutaway portion 41, formed centrally of the stanchions, as shown, having its bottom 42 adapted to have mounted thereon, in any desirable manner, a support 43, carrying an insulator 44 for the conductor 45.

My improved slot-closer consists of two separate series of rectangular plates or sections 46 47, of any desirable material, each series arranged opposite the other in a parallel manner. The two series of plates 46 47 are supported by the top of the conduit and upon the stanchions, and each series is adapted to operate transversely in an op-' posite direction. The sections 46 47 are provided with an elongated recess 48, opening outwardly to allow of the mounting of the sections upon the top of the conduit, permitting the same to be supported upon the top of the stanchions, and also to allow of the sections being operated in a transverse manner. Arranged in the recess 48 is a series of compression-springs 49. One end of each is mounted upon one of the studs 33, and the opposite end abuts against the inner side of the recess 41. The inner wall of one corner of the recess 48 is cut away, as at 50, to per- *mit of hingedly connecting thereto a slotted lug 51, formed integral with the adjacent corner of the opposite section. The top outer corner of each of the sect-ions 4'7 46 is rounded off, as seen at 52, so as to permit of the easy riding overthe same of any vehicle.

The operation of my improved slot-closer is as follows: The car being propelled carries the operating-arm and trolley therewith. The working block 15 (the downward movement of this block being limited by the stop-block 14) will force each series of plates or sections of the slot-closer apart in a transverse manner and permit of the movement of the trolley through the slot in the conduit. This transverse movement of the sections of the slot-closer caused by the passage of the working block 15 compresses the springs 49, which will expand and bring each pair of oppositelyarranged sections 46 47 together when the working block has passed from engagement between the same.

By providing the sections of the conduit with removable stanchions the same can be easily replaced, if desired. The openings in the stanchions will permit of the satisfactory arrangement of feed-wires for the conductor and, as heretofore stated, overcome the objections astointermediate line-stations and overhead wires, owing to the fact that the feed-wires can be easily arranged and supported within the conduit by means of the openings formed in the. stanchions, and, furthermore, these stanchions form a supporting means for the conductor and the sections of the slot-closer when in an open and closed position.

It is thought that the many advantages of my improved construction can be readily understood from the foregoing description,taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric railway, a pair of suitablyarranged inverted L shaped sections for forming a conduit with an elongated slot arranged between the same, a series of supporting and bracing stanchions in the said conduit, two series of spring-actuated hingedlyconnected sections mounted upon the top of said L-shaped sections and stanchions forming a slot-closer, in combination with means suitably suspended from a car for operating each series of sections of the slot-closer in a transverse manner, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and means carried by a car for operating each series of sections in an opposite direction.

3. The combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and means carried by a car for operating transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and means carried by a car for operating transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as described.

5. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and an operating-arm adapted to be suspended from a car and provided with a working block adapted to engage each series of sections and operate the same in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

6. In an electric railway, the combination -w-ith a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected sections mounted upon said conduit and closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and an operating-arm adapted to be suspended fromacar and provided with a working block adapted to engage each series of sections and operate transversely the same in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

7. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected sections mounted upon said conduit and closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and an operating-arm adapted to be suspended from acar and provided with a working block adapted to engage each series of sections and operate transversely the same in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as described.

8. In an electric railway, the combination with acond nit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected spring actuated sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and means adapted to be carried by a car for operating each series of sections in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

9. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected springactuated sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and means adapted to be carried by a car for operating transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

10. In an electric railway, the combination.

with aconduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected springactuated sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and means adapted to be carried by a car for operating transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as described.

11. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, of two series of hingedly-connected springactuated sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and an operatingarm suitably suspended from a car and carryinga working block adapted to engage each series of said sections and operate the same in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

12. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduitprovided with an elongated slot of two series of hiugedly-connected springactuated sections mounted upon said conduit, for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and an operatingarm suitably suspended from a car and carrying a working block adaptedto engage each series of said sections and operate transversely the same in an opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

13. In an electric railway, the combination of two series of hingedly-connected springactuated sections mounted upon said conduit for closing said slot and engaging both faces of the top of the conduit, and an operatingarmsuitably suspended from a car'and carrying a working block adapted to engage each Series of said sections and operate transversely the same in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as described.

14. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, and aspring-actuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections, of a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car and adapted to operate each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as set forth.

15. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot and a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections, of a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car and adapted to operate transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as set forth.

16. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot and a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections, of a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car, and a working block carried by said arm adapted to operate each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as set forth.

' 17. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot and a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections, of a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car, and a working block carried by said arm adapted to operate transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as described.

18. In an electric railway, the combination witha conduit provided with an elongated slot and a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections, of a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car, a stopblock formed integral with the lower end of said arm, and a working block formed into gral with said stop-block and adapted to operate each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same plane, substantially as described. 7

19. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot and a springtactuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections, of a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car, a stop block formed integral with the lower end of isaid arm, and a working blockformed ingtegral with said stop-block and adapted to "transversely operate each series of sections in an opposite direction and upon the same 1 plane, substantially as set forth. with a conduit provided with an elongated slot,

20. In an electric railway, the combination 5 of a conduit provided with an elongated slot, 7 a series of removable supporting and bracing stanchions arranged therein, an electrical i fconductor suitably supported by said stanchions, a spring-actuated slot-closer supported by said conduit and said stanchions, and

5 means carried by a car and adapted to operate the said slot-closer in a transverse manner, substantially as described.

21. In an electric railway, the combination of a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a series of removable supporting and bracing stanchions arranged therein, an electrical conductor suitably supported by said stanchions, a spring-actuated slot-closer supported by said conduit. and said stanchions, an operating-arm carried by a car, and a working block connected to said arm and adapted to engage and. operate said slot-closer in a transverse manner. 7

' 22. In an electric railway, the combination of a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a series of removable supporting and bracing stanchions arranged therein, an electrical conductor suitably supported by said stanchions, a spring-actuated slot-closer supported by said conduit and said stanchions, an operating-arm carried by a car, astop-block connected to said arm, and a working block formed integral with said stop block and adapted to engage and operate said slot-closer in a transverse manner, substantially as described.

23. In an electric railway, the combination of a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a series of. removable supporting and'bracing stanchions arranged in said conduit and provided with a pair of openings for the passage of the feed-wire, anelectrical conductor supported by said stanchions,two series of springactuated hingedly-con'nected sections forming the slot-closer mounted upon said conduit, and said stanchions, and means carried by a car adapted to transversely operate each series of sections in an opposite direction, substantially as described.

24;. In an electric railway, the combination of a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a series of removable supporting and bracing stanchions arranged in said conduit and pro vided with a pair of openings for the passage of the feed-wire, an electrical conductor supported by said stanchions, two series of springactuated hingedly-connected sections forming the slot-closer mounted upon said conduit, and said stanchions, a trolley suitably connected to a car and adapted to come into contact with said electrical conductor, and means connected. to said. trolley adapted to trans versely operate each series of sections in an opposite direction to permit of the operation of the said trolley within said conduit, substantially as described.

25. In an electric railway, the combination of a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a series of removable supporting and bracing stanchions arranged therein and provided with a pair of openings to permit of the passage of feed-wires, an electrical conductor suitably supported by said stanchions, two series of hingedly-connected spring-actuated sections forming the slot-closer supported upon said conduit and said stanchions, a trolley suitably suspended from the car and adapted to engage said conductor, an operating-arm suitably suspended frorn'the car and connected to said trolley, and means carried by said operating-arm adapted to engage and operate transversely each series of sections in an opposite direction to permit of the operation of the said trolley in said conduit, substantially as set forth. I

26. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a spring-actuated slot-closer carried by said conduit, means arranged in said conduit for supporting said slot-closer as well as bracing the conduit, and anjelectrical conductor suitably mounted upon said means.

27. The combination with a conduit, of means for suitably bracing the same, and a spring-actuated slot-closer carried by said conduit and supported by said means.

28. The combination with a conduit, of a slot-closer suitably mounted thereon and engaging both faces of the top thereof, and means arranged in said conduit for supporting said slot-closer.

29. The combination with a conduit, of a transversely operating slot closer suitably mounted in the top engaging both faces thereof, an electrical conductor, and means arranged in said conduit for supporting said slot-closer and conductor.

30. In an electric railway, a conduit provided with a suitable slot, a transversely-opcrating closer suitably connected to the top of said conduit and engaging both faces there of, an electrical conductor, means arranged in said conduit for supporting said slot-closer and conduit, in combination with means carried by a car for operating said slot-closer, as and for the purpose set forth.

31. In an electric railway, a conduit provided with a suitable slot, a transversely-operating slot-closer suitably connected to the top of said conduit, an electrical conductor, means arranged in said conduit for supporting said slot-closer and conduit, in combination with a trolley supported from a car and adapted to engage said conductor, and an operating-arm carried by a car and adapted to operate said slot-closer to permit the passage of said trolley through said slot, substantially as described.

32. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit provided with a suitab1y-supported transversely-operated slot-closer, of

an operating-arm suitably suspended from a car, a stop-block formed integral therewith, and a working block connected to said stopblock and adapted to operate said slot-closer, as and for the purpose described.

33. The combination with a conduit, of a transversely-operating slot-closer formed of a series of sections suitably mounted on the top of said conduit and engaging both faces thereof, an electrical conductor, and means arranged in said conduit for supporting said conductor and slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

84. The combination with a conduit, of a transversely-operating spring-actuated slotcloser formed of a series of sections suitably mounted on the top of said conduit and en gaging both faces thereof, an electrical conductor, and means arranged in said conduit for supporting said slot-closer and conductor, substantially as described.

35. The combination with a conduit, of a transversely-operating spring-actuated slotcloser mounted upon the top of said conduit, an electrical conductor, a series of retaining-blocks arranged in the said conduit, and means connected to the said blocks and adapted to brace the said conduit and support said slot-closer and conductor, substantially as described.

36. In an electrical railway, a conduit constructed of a series of sections so arranged as to form an elongated slot, a series of studs or pins suitably arranged upon the said sections, a spring mounted upon each of said studs or pins, a slot-closer formed of a series of sections mounted upon the said conduit so as to engage the upper and lower faces thereof and be operated by said springs to close said slot, and a spring-actuated operatingarm suspended from a car and adapted to operate said slot-closer to open the slot, substantially as described.

37. In an electrical railway, a conduit constructed of a series of sections so arranged as to form an elongated slot, a series of studs or pins suitably arranged upon the said sections, a spring mounted upon each of said studs or pins, a slot-closer formed of a series of sections mounted upon said conduit so as to engage the upper and lower faces thereof and be operated by said springs to close said slot, a spring-actuated operating-arm carried by a car, and a working block carried by said arm and adapted to operate said slot-closer to open said slot, substantially as described.

38. In an electrical railway, a conduit constructed of a series of sections so arranged as to form an elongated slot, a series of studs or pins arranged upon the said sections, a spring mounted upon each of said studs or pins, a slot-closer formed of a series of sections mounted upon the said conduit so as to engage the upper and lower faces thereof and be operated by the said springs to close said slot, a series of stanchions arranged in the said conduit and adapted to support said slotcloser, and a spring-actuated operating-arm suspended from a car and adapted to operate said slot-closer, substantially as described.

39. In an electrical railway, a conduit constructed of a series of sections so arranged as to form an elongated slot, a series of studs or pins arranged upon the said sections, a spring mounted upon each of said studs or pins, a slot closer formed of a series of sections mounted upon the said conduit so as to en? gage the upper and lower faces thereof, and be operated by the said springs to close said slot, a series of stanchions arranged in said conduit andada-pted' to support said slot-closer, a spring-actuated operating-arm carried by a car, and a working block carried by said arm and adapted to operate said slot-closer to open said slot, substantially as described.

' 40. Inan electrical railway, a conduit construeted of a series of sections so arranged as to form an elongated slot, a series of studs or pins arranged upon the said sections, a spring mounted upon each of said studs or pins, a

slotcloser formed of a series of sections mounted upon said conduit so as to engage the-upper and lower faces thereof and be operated by the said springs to close said slot,

1 a series of stanchions arranged in said conduit and adapted to support said slot-closer, means arranged in said conduit for support ing -said standards, a spring-actuated operatin g-a-rm carried by a car, and a working block carried by said arm and adapted to operate said slot-closer to open said slot, substantially as described.

H.- The conduit for an underground railway constructed of side walls having top portions extending at right angles thereto, and

theslet-closer mounted and operating upon the upper and lower faces of the angular portions;

. '42. The conduit for an underground rail- 7 way constructed of side Walls having top portions extending at right angles thereto, the slot-closer mounted and operating upon the upper and lower faces of said angular portions,'and the springs mounted within the said slot-closer and adapted to keep the same normally in a closed position.

43. The conduit for an underground railway-constructed of side walls having top por-' tions extending at right angles thereto, the

1 slot-closer mounted and operating upon the upper and lower faces of said angular portions, the springs mounted within the said 1 slot-closer and adapted to keep the same normallyin a closed position, and the stanchions arranged in the conduit for bracing the same and supporting said slot-closer.

44. The conduit for an underground railway constructed of side walls having top portions extending at right angles thereto, the slot-closer mounted and operating upon the upper and lower faces of said angular portions,-the springs mounted within the said slot-closer and adapted to keep the same normally in a closed position, the series of retaining-blocks'c'onnected'to the inner face of the side walls of the conduit, and the series of stanchions secured in the retaining-blocks and adapted to bracexthe conduit and support the slot-closer.

45. In an underground railway, a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a springactuated slot-closer formed of two series of sections mounted upon said conduit and operatin g within the said slot, and means carried by a car for operating said slot-closer.

46. In an underground railway, a conduit provided with an elongated slot, a springactuated slot-closer mounted upon said conduit and operating within the said slot, a seprovided with an elongated slot, and a springactuated slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower faces of said conduit.

49. In an electrical railway, a conduit provided with an elongated slot, -a spring-actuated slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower faces of said conduit, and means supported from a car adapted to operate said slot-closer.

50. A'condui't for underground railways provided with anelongated slot, a spring-actuated slot-closer mounted and operating within said slot and upon .the upper and lowerfaces of said conduit, anda series of stanchions ar- IIO ranged in said conduit and adapted to support said slot-closer.

51. In an electric railway, a conduit pro-v vided with an elongated slot, a spring-actuated slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower faces of said conduit, a series of supporting-stanchions arranged in the said conduit and adapted to support said slot-closer, and means suspended from a car for operating the said slot-closer.

52. A conduit for underground railways provided with an elongated slot, a slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower faces of said conduit, springs arranged in the said slot-closer for normally keeping the same within said slot, and a series of stanchions arranged in the said conduit and adapted to support said slot-closer.

53. In an electric railway, a conduit formed with a slot, a slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower faces of said conduit, springs arranged in 'the'said slotcloser for normally keeping the same within the said slot, a series of 'stanchions arranged in the said conduit and adapted to support saidslot-closer, and means suspended from a car for operating the said slot-closer.

54. A conduit for underground railways provided with an elongated slot, a slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower faces of said conduit, springs arranged in the said slot-closer for normally keeping the same Within said slot, an electrical conductor, and a series of stanchions arranged in the said conduit and adapted to support said conductor and slot-closer.

55. In an electric railway, a conduit provided with a slot, a slot-closer operating within the said slot and upon the upper and lower .faces of said conduit, springs arranged in said slot closer for normally keeping the same within said slot, an electrical conductor, a se- JOHN B. LARKIN.

Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, JOHN GROETZINGER. 

